A CHARITY helping disadvantaged children has gone on its annual trip to Lourdes.
Group 39 is part of a scheme run by the Pilgrimage Trust, which aims to give poorly and disadvantaged youngsters, and those with disabilities, the chance of a group holiday.
The group, which relies heavily on fundraising, this time took five aged 9 to 18 on a one-week trip.
They explored the region and visited locations made famous by St Bernadette, the founder of the Lourdes site.
The group even had an early Christmas, with a themed party that included dinner, crackers and presents.
Trip organiser Amanda Leadbeater said: "It was great to see the young people have a great time. They all got together to make new friends."
The party also reached the peak of the Pyranees with a visit to snow-covered Gavarnie.
They spent the day looking round the shops, playing and again having Mass this time with the group from York.
Amanda continued: "It is lovely to be able to spend time with other groups, as well as playing, shopping and having mass.
"The group also took part in the annual torchlight procession. All of the groups come together with candles and process through the shrine of Our Lady Of Lourdes.
"When following the story of St Bernadette, during one of the apparitions, a lady said to Bernadette 'let them come in procession'.
"So the torchlight procession is symbolic of that request made in 1858."
Fundraising plays a massive part in preparing for the trip; the volunteers at Group 39 go that extra mile by taking part in skydives, abseils and more.
Daredevil Amanda, who successfully completed a charity abseil at Grimsby Dock Tower, is planning an even greater feat – by abseiling the even higher National Lift Centre, in Northampton.
This year's fundraising campaign starts with a plant sale today from 10.30am at Corpus Christi Church, in Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes. Entertainment includes a raffle, morning tea and cakes.
Amanda Leadbeater or donate by texting LEAD70 £5 to 70070.SEVERAL VISIONS St. Bernadette of Lourdes was a saint born on January 7, 1844 in Lourdes, France. She received several visions from the Virgin Mary starting in 1858. When she reported these visions, civil authorities attempted to force her to recant her accounts. She refused, and word spread about the cave she had found with supposed miracle healing springs. Napolean III's wife helped her achieve her vision to build a church at the cave. Lourdes emerged as a pilgrimage site for worshippers from around the world. She died on April 16, 1879 and was canonized as a saint in 1933 by Pope Pius XI.